Former glamour model Leanne Houston, along with accomplice Stephen Kerr, has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for torturing a man and stealing his cash inheritance. The pair targeted the vulnerable man, subjecting him to violent acts including stabbing him with a knife and striking him with a hammer. They coerced him into revealing his bank card PIN numbers and transferring his inheritance money to their accounts for drug and alcohol purchases. The victim managed to escape and sought help at a Glasgow bank where staff noticed his injuries and alerted the authorities.
During the trial in December, it was revealed that Houston and Kerr had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and previous convictions. Despite claiming innocence, both defendants reached out to apologise to the victim. However, Judge Alistair Watson noted the severity of their crimes, describing the assaults as cruel and leaving the victim severely injured. He highlighted their exploitation of the man’s vulnerabilities for their own gain.
The court sentenced Houston, a 34-year-old mother of three, and Kerr, 40, to prison terms backdated to their remand dates. Kerr was also given a supervised release order for two and a half years after his term ends. The judge expressed skepticism over the pair’s expressions of remorse, given their continued denial of responsibility.
This case sheds light on the dangers of exploitation and abuse faced by vulnerable individuals in society. It serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding those who may be easily targeted for malicious intents. The justice system’s response to such crimes aims to ensure accountability and protection for all members of the community.